Nevil monroe hopkins



' No. 626,908. Patented lune 19, [899.

N. M. HOPKINS.

APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING BURSTING OF WATER PIPES BY FREEZING.

(Application filed Mar. 18, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NEVIL MONROE HOPKINS, OF WVASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING BURSTING OF WATER-PIPES BY FREEZiNG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 626,908, dated June 13, 1899'.

Application filed March 16,1899.

T0 (LZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, NEVIL MONROE Hor- KINS, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of \Vashington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Preventing the Bursting of vVater-Pipes by Freezing, of which the following is a specification.

In my Patent No. 616,188, of December 20, 1898, I have shown a series of expansionchambers applied to a water-pipe and so arranged that the freezing water or ice expands into the chambers without causing the pipe itself to expand or burst. The-expansionchambers are filled with air and are air-tight, the water normally being for the most part excluded from the chambers by the air,which is compressed by the water if it tends to enter too far into the chambers. I have found, however, that when the flow of water is constant, long continued, and rapid the air in the chambers is partially if not wholly withdrawn owing to the aspirating elfect 0f flowing water. This reduction in volume of the air causes the water to rise and partially fill the expansion-chambers, so as to leave insufficient space for the expanding water or ice. According to my present invention I provide means for supplying an additional quantity of air to the chambers, so that they may always be filled to such an extent as to exclude water therefrom under ordinary conditions, but which is compressed to make room for freezing water and ice when required.

The accompanying drawing shows a waterpipe system with my improvements applied.

The main supply-pipe A is connected at a to a service-pipe B, that is furnished with faucets C at different points. D indicates two of the improved expansionchambers shown in my patent of December 20, 1898, above referred to, and E indicates a modified form of expansion-chamber also shown in my patent.

In a system such as thus far described there is liability of the water rising and fillin g the expansion-chambers, especially when the flow is constant,longcontinued, and rapid. To overcome this objection, I provide means for supplying an additional quantity of air to the chambers. There are severalways in which this may be accomplished. At F, I

Serial No. 709,332. (No model.)

have shown by dotted lines a pump for forcing air into the main supply-pipe A. This pump may be located at any point in the main,either at the pumping-station or remote therefrom, or it may be applied to the service-pipes of a building. Air forced into the pipe by the pump will travel with the water toward the expansion-chambers and will float upward and rise into them and become com pressed therein, and thus exclude the water. The preferred means for supplying air to the chambers is, however, shown at G, which is a contrivauce adapted to automatically admit air when water is flowing in the pipe. A vessel g is formed with an opening g, provided with an internal valve-seat fitting a valve g carried by a float g The casing is connected to the pipe B by a passage 9 opened and closed by a cock g Lugs or rails 9 either on the float or on the bottom of the inside of the vessel, prevent the float from dropping too far, so as to close the'passagc 9 Preferably the pipe B at this point is a separate section provided with a nozzle 00, extending past the passage g and into a sleeve w, flared at opposite ends.

By this arrangement when the cock 9 is open and water is flowing in the pipes air will be drawn in past the valve 9 through the openin g g and into the service-pipe. It will pass along the pipe with the water and will rise in the expansion-chambers. By thus supplying the chambers with an additional amount of air I have completely overcome the difficulties experienced in some cases with the use of the invention covered by my patent before referred to.

' The drawing merely illustrates one way of embodying my invention. The expansionchambers should be located at such points as to meet the requirements of each case, and the devices for admitting or supplying air to the system may be varied in construction and location according to circumstances.

While I of course prefer to use air for the expansion-chambers, any other suitable gas may be substituted.

I do not herein claim the modified form of expansion -chamber shown at E in the accompanying drawing, as this subject-matter is claimed in my application for Patent, Serial No. 715,364, filed May 2, 1899.

I claim as my inventionvided with an expansion-chamber to receive I freezing water or ice, and means for admitting or forcing air into the Water-pipe.

4. The combination of a Water-pipe provided with an expansion-chamber to receive freezing Water or ice, an air-inlet port for adj mitting air to the Water-pipe, a valve controlling this port, and a nozzle in the pipe extending past the port.

5. The combination of a water-pipe provided With an expansion-chamber to recelve freezing water or ice, a vessel communicating with the Water-pipe and having an air-inlet, a valve controlling the air-inlet, a float to which the valve is attached, and a nozzle 5 Within the Water-pipe extending past the passage between the water-pipe and the valvechamber.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

NEVIL MONROE HOPKINS.

Witnesses:

LLOYD B. WIGHT, GEO: G. COLEGATE. 

